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Copyright of Revue Francaise d'Allergologie is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• This work principally aims to identify the mathematical form of the evolution of the proposed fiber-matrix interface failure criterion parameters during fatigue. • To this end, an original inverse engineering methodology is proposed based on an accurate and complete experimental description of the interfacial damage, coupled to a micromechanical predictive damage model adapted to cyclic loading. • It is shown that the identified local fatigue damage criterion can be simply represented by an exponential increasing shape as a function of the gap between the current local stresses (i.e. for the considered number of cycles) and the local stresses undergone during the first applied cycle. • This expression should be considered as a representative of the fiber-matrix strain hardening fatigue effect in short fiber reinforced composites. • Thus, the identification of the criterion should be based on a simple reverse engineering using only macroscopic stiffness reduction during tensile fatigue. • Hence, there is no more need to perform a complete local damage experimental analysis. In this paper, a multi-scale approach is proposed to predict the stiffness reduction of a Sheet-Molding-Compound (SMC) composite submitted to low cycle fatigue (until 2.105 cycles). Strain-controlled tensile fatigue tests (R = 0.1) are carried out at various strain ranges. Damage is investigated at both macroscopic and microscopic scales through the evolutions of Young's modulus and SEM observations, after interrupted fatigue tests at different lifetime periods. The results show that the fatigue degradation of the composite is mainly controlled by fiber-matrix interface debonding. A quantitative analysis allows determining the threshold and kinetics of the fiber-matrix interface damage during cyclic loading as a function of the orientation of fibers. Moreover, a fiber-matrix interface damage criterion, taking into account the local cyclic normal and shear stresses at the interface, is introduced in the Mori and Tanaka approach in order to predict the loss of stiffness. The parameters of this local criterion are identified by reverse engineering on the basis of the experimental results described above. Finally, the predicted loss of stiffness is very consistent with the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the benefits of smoking cessation, and evolving new tobacco-product consumption, such as e-cigarettes (e-cig), contemporary behavioral and psychosocial factors (PSF) associated with smoking after acute stroke or myocardial infarction (MI) remain to be investigated. From INEV@L, a prospective pilot study in 128 workers hospitalized for MI or stroke (MI/stroke: 199/57) < 65 y, between 2016 and 2017 in CHU Dijon. Among them, 67 (52%) current smokers were analyzed. PSF (education level (EL), socioeconomic status (SES), perceived disease severity (PDS), anxiety/depression), and health behavior (adhesion to Mediterranean diet (AMD), BMI, physical activity (PA), smoking) were collected at the acute phase and at 6 months follow-Up. Patients who quit smoking were compared with non-quitting patients at FU. Still smokers at FU were frequent (30(45%)) and had similar risk factors including age (51 ± 7 y) than quitters. Rate of overweight/obese patients and AMD were similar (52 vs. 65%, P = 0.281 and 29 ± 6 vs. 26 ± 7, P = 0.207). SES and EL were slightly higher in still smokers group. The level of anxiety or depression was as high in the 2 groups (63 vs. 68%, and 19 vs. 20%, P = 0.717 and 0.911). Although similar at the acute phase (P = 0.867), PDS at 6-M FU, trended to be lower in non-quitters (57 vs. 78%, P = 0.057). At FU, only few returned to work (57% for both groups). Overweight/obese who reduced their weight were more common in non-quitters (60 vs. 38%, P = 0.170). Patients who improved AMD or PA level were similar (62 vs. 78%, P = 0.166, and 67 vs. 92%, P = 0.317). The vast majority of non-quitters introduced the use of e-cig (80% vs. 0%, P < 0.001). Our pilot study in young workers highlights the low rate of smoking cessation, and generalized dual use of electronic + conventional cigarette at mid-term after acute MI or stroke. Our findings further suggest specific PSF pattern of non-quitters, associated with loss of perceived disease severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Psychosocial stress at work has been proposed as a risk factor for cerebro- and cardiovascular event (CVE) such as stroke or acute myocardial infarction (MI). However, data on psychosocial factors (PSF) profile in patients with CVE are scarce. In a multidisciplinary approach, we aimed to characterize PSF burden in patients with acute stroke or MI. Patients In a prospective pilot study, 45 patients aged < 60 years, currently working and hospitalized for stroke or MI were included. Risk scores (GRACE, Charlson) were examined across categories of PSF (perceived disease severity, anxiety/depression, stress at work, quality of life at work). Results Among the 44 patients included, 77% had acute MI and 23% stroke. Mean age was 50 years, 77% were male, 43% were current smokers, 39% had hypertension, 41% hypercholesterolemia and 36% obesity. Education level was at 4,65 (secondary education), and most (41%) had low socioprofessional status. Mean level of PSF were: perceived disease severity (4,5/5), anxiety/depression (0,91/4), stress at work (2,75/5), quality of life at work (3,67/5). GRACE and CHARLSON risk scores were at 6 and 93, respectively. Severity of the disease perceived by the patient was correlated positively with the stress experienced before CVE ( r = 0.20, P < 0.07) and with the patient's current anxiety ( r = 0.20, P < 0.07) and negatively with the quality of life at work experienced before the CVE ( r = 0.11, P < 0.10). Comorbidity score (CHARLSON) was not correlated with the perceived severity of the disease ( r = −0.06, P < 0.28). Moreover, GRACE score showed a trend toward a correlation with the stress felt before MI ( r = −0.19, P < 0.28). Conclusion These preliminary data from a pilot study in young patients with acute CVE shows a high PSF burden and suggest for the first time the disconnection between perceived and true severity disease. If confirmed at a larger scale, our data could identify new opportunities for preventive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Primary epiploic appendagitis is known to be a rare finding among causes of acute abdomen. Depending on location, it may mimic several disorders such as colonic diverticulitis and acute appendicitis. Diagnosis is sometimes performed during surgery. Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study. The authors report the contribution of imaging for the diagnosis of appendagitis in seven patients investigated between July 2010 and April 2013 by abdominal and pelvic ultrasound or computed tomography (CT). Results: CT scan confirmed the diagnosis in six patients avoiding unnecessary surgery and hospitalization. The seventh patient was a pregnant woman in whom the diagnosis of appendagitis was made during surgery for appendicitis. Conclusion: Appendagitis is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain. Outcome is favorable with medical treatment only. Abdominal ultrasound and CT are helpful diagnostic tests avoiding useless surgical procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC) are a significant problem of public health in Tunisia. They are particular because of their characteristic geographic distribution. The aims of this study were, first, to appreciate the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) and to compare their benefits to NPC diagnosis and, secondly, to verify the relation between NPC and factors bound to the food and environment conditions. Biopsies, recruited at the department of pathology of EPS Charles Nicolle at Tunis, were analyzed for EBV genome presence by ISH of EBV-encoded small RNA1 (EBER1). IHC was done with encoded nuclear antigen (EBNA1), latent membrane proteins (LMP1), and antigen BZ1 anti-Z EBV-replication activator (ZEBRA). An epidemiological study based upon the analysis of a detailed questionnaire submitted to patients (all from the north of Tunisia) and 60 witnesses was done. The statistic analysis was realised by SPSS Windows 11.5 Advanced Statistics. All samples were classified as Undifferentiated Carcinoma of Nasopharyngeal type (UCNT). We found a sex ratio of 2 with a bimodal repartition. ISH showed 96.6% positive samples. IHC revealed the EBV in 90% of cases and 66.7%, respectively, with EBNA1 and LMP1. The statistic analysis showed a meaningful relation (P <0.05, OR>3) between NPC and dietary factors (spices and piquant condiment), alcohol and the water quality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Résumé: Les acidoses tubulaires rénales sont un groupe de troubles métaboliques caractérisés par une acidose métabolique à trou anionique plasmatique normal. Il existe trois formes principales d’acidose tubulaire rénale : une forme proximale dite de type II et deux formes distales (types I et IV). L’acidose tubulaire rénale de type II est la conséquence de l’incapacité du tubule proximal à réabsorber les bicarbonates. L’acidose tubulaire rénale distale est associée à l’incapacité à excréter la charge acide quotidienne et peut s’associer à une hyperkaliémie (type IV) ou à une hypokaliémie (type I). L’étiologie la plus fréquente d’acidose tubulaire rénale de type IV est l’hypoaldostéronisme. Les acidoses tubulaires rénales, préférentiellement de type I, peuvent se compliquer de néphrocalcinose et de lithiase obstructive. L’alcalinisation est la pierre angulaire du traitement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]